But there was also a somber sense that our nation was faced with enormous challenges and moving in the wrong direction; and that the delegation from the "Land of Steady Habits" had a more serious obligation to address these issues in our deliberations than might have been the case at past conventions.

Tampa was not just a frivolous celebration. It marked a critical historic moment in our nation's political life that we have not seen since 1980.

At a time of economic recession rivaling the Great Depression, joblessness, deficits, debt and uncertainty, our job was to choose a ticket that would address and correct these problems openly, fairly and responsibly.

Our delegation, led by state party chairman Jerry Labriola, included a blue-ribbon lineup of elected officials, campaign workers and financial supporters.

It also included a young Hispanic candidate for state Senate who wanted to break the "economic chains" of social welfare that had kept his family poor and dependent for generations; and a wealthy self-made man from modest beginnings thinking of cashing out his investments if there is no change in November.

We reflected the range of issues, from inner city to wealthy suburbs.

But diversity did not stop with the delegation. In three previous conventions, I have never seen such a diverse group of speakers all expressing such a unity of purpose in supporting the American dream of freedom, equal opportunity, entrepreneurship and free enterprise.

While Hurricane Isaac was a constant backdrop to the news from Tampa, and we worried about our friends in Louisiana and Mississippi, it did not erase the stunning diversity of speeches from Condoleezza Rice, Ted Cruz, Mia Love, Artur Davis, Marco Rubio, Luis Fortuno, Susana Martinez and others.

Another significant event was the appearance of Ann Romney. Never before has the wife of the candidate delivered a message of love for husband, family and country in a speech that was truly a "keynote" rather than a footnote.

Although the Connecticut delegation has been split in the past over certain elements of the party platform dealing with social issues, this was not apparent in Tampa. Many of us did not agree with some of the platform language on abortion, contraception and gay marriage. But these issues did not visibly distract us from the larger economic crisis we face.

As for the Romney/Ryan ticket, there was none of the anxiety experienced in 2008 with McCain/Palin. The Romney/Ryan vision of a new beginning of the American Dream was historically correct, ideologically balanced and hopeful. Hopeful! How's that for a change?

Four years ago at the convention in Minneapolis, Minn., the Connecticut delegation was attacked on the sidewalk outside the convention center by a mob of self-styled anarchists and socialists. Badges were stolen, the late, beloved Fred Biebel was knocked to the ground and those of us who pushed back were pelted with Clorox tainted water.

By contrast, in Tampa the security was tight and professional. Preparations included an adequate security force and civilian-style fences. While the Coalition to March on the RNC predicted an army of 5,000 protesters, they were lucky to have 500.

Was it the weather? Or the presence of adequate security?

One protester from New York City was reported in the National Journal to have said he "expects a stronger showing in Charlotte [North Carolina] where Occupy protesters and others want to register their disenchantment with President Obama."

Could it be that the president's foot soldiers are more disappointed by his empty promise of "hope and change" than they are angered by the Republican call for "restoring the American dream?"

If this is the case, then the time, energy and money that the Connecticut delegation expended during its week in Tampa was well spent.

Rob Simmons of Stonington served five terms in the General Assembly and three terms in Congress.

Donald Trump, widely believed to the be the wealthiest American ever to run for president, is nowhere among the ranks of the country's most generous citizens, according to an Associated Press review of his financial records and other government filings.

The College of DuPage needs to set aside at least $2.85 million in the coming year to cover legal fees associated with various criminal and internal investigations at school, according to a new budget analysis.

Now there are two: Zimbabwe accused a gynecological oncologist from Pennsylvania on Sunday of illegally killing a lion in April, adding to the outcry over a Minnesota dentist the African government wants to extradite for killing a well-known lion named Cecil in early July.